Cell tower may be erected in Caln

CALN — A 164 foot cell tower might be raised south of Lincoln Highway in Caln to “fill a void in AT&T coverage,” according to wireless services experts.

A conditional use hearing was held Thursday night where representatives from the multi-nation telecommunications corporation, AT&T, gave testimony to Caln Township Commissioners regarding the project.

Brock Riffle, principal at RF Services, Inc. in King of Prussia, said that AT&T is required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide 99 percent reliability. He said there are “white areas” indicating unreliable coverage that the company is looking to correct.

“(The tower) improves service for every one of us who uses cell phones,” Caln resident Robert Raymos said during the public hearing, agreeing with the project.

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The tower and communications facility will be located at 21 South Caln Road, right off of Lincoln Highway. According to township representatives, since the property is in an industrial district, a cell tower is permitted with conditional use approval from the township.

The agreement would also allow co-location — the opportunity for other wireless providers to use the tower for services.

“Verizon and AT&T follow each other around constantly,” AT&T’s site acquisition representative Brian Lazlow said when asked about the possibility for other providers to use the tower. Both companies don’t want the other to “get a step ahead,” he said.

Caln Township Commissioner Jim Kruse said he is concerned about the possible hindrance to residents of 262 planned homes in the Hills at Thorndale Woods. He said if the application for the cell tower erection is approved, it might turn into an unappealing obstruction for those residents.

Representatives from the Hills at Thorndale Woods were contacted about the hearing, but no one was present to weigh in on the project.

According to township manager Greg Prowant, the planned housing development is on the south side of Lincoln Highway on a large property west of South Caln Road and east of South Bailey Road.

Prowant said the plan to construct 262 homes has been on the table for nearly a decade. The developers have necessary approvals, including the preliminary planning approval. But the developer must have the final plan approved before construction begins.

He said the developer has recently approached the township about starting construction as early as 2015, pending the final plan approval.

Currently, the nearest property line to the planned tower site is 60 feet and there is an “additional premises clause” in the agreement that would allow the lease of additional space to other cellular providers, AT&T representatives said during the public hearing.

Commissioners have 45 days to amend and draft a final decision on the cell tower application. Township solicitor Kristin Camp recommended the board address the application at the first July meeting.

There were no residents at the hearing Thursday who are opposed to the plan.

Caln Township Board of Commissioners meet again on July 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Caln Municipal Building located at 253 Municipal Drive.